Pruning is a great way of rejuvenating trees, helping them to remain healthy and to encourage better growth. The winter months are the ideal time to prune as a lack of leaves enable you to see what you are doing. So, take a look at these tips from a specialist team of tree surgeons in Maldon and get pruning the right way this winter.
1. Determine the Age of the Tree
Not all trees need pruning, especially those that are new. In general, trees need around two years to root and fully establish before they have the ability to recover after pruning. If you are fully aware that the tree is old enough to prune, then you can begin the process.
2. Understand the Health of the Tree
If the tree is overgrown, then this is a sign that it is healthy and in the right growing environment. This means that it is ideal for dormant pruning. If there is damage, disease or dead branches but the base of the tree looks strong, then you might want to consider removing these branches as they are likely to be taking vital resources from the tree. By removing these dead or problematic branches will help the rest of the tree to get more nutrients.
3. Think About the Function of the Tree
Does it provide shade and cover over a bench, is it blocking a nasty view? The way in which your prune trees can affect the safety of your landscape and it can also have an impact on other trees. If you prune overgrown branches, it can create a better view but if you take away too much, you might lose the shade that plants planted beneath the tree might need.
4. Discover the Leader Branch
Every tree will have a leader branch or a main branch that shoots straight up from the trunk. This is the main branch for encouraging upward growth and should be left as it is. Therefore, you should focus on lateral branches that stem from this main branch. These branches can sometimes take away energy from the main branch as it attempts to become the main branch. When it comes to pruning, branches such as these are perfect for taking away.
5. Make a Clean Cut
You should always make sure that you make a clean cut when pruning. Just like our skin, a cleaner cut will heal faster, so you should make sure that you sharpen your pruning scissors. When you make a cut that is neat and precise it will help to enhance the regrowth and healing.
6. Don’t Prune Too Much of the Tree
You should aim to keep around two thirds of the branches untouched. When you remove more than a third of the branches, it can put stress on the tree and that could reduce resources as it works to heal. This can then lead to further problems in the future while it might not be able to overcome diseases or damage.
If you are someone who is not confident in taking care of your own trees and pruning, then you might want to contact your local tree surgeon. They will help to ensure that your trees receive the care they need and remain healthy as they head into spring.
Article Submitted By Community Writer
